The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) expressed full support to the recently-signed “Trabaho Para sa Bayan Act,” which aims to address labor market challenges through the creation of a master plan for employment generation and recovery.
Signed into law by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on September 27, Republic Act 11962 will lay the foundation for the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Inter-Agency Council, which will be chaired by the Director-General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and co-chaired by the Secretaries of DOLE and the Department of Trade and Industry.
In his message, President Marcos Jr. enjoined DOLE and NEDA to harmonize the Labor and Employment Plan 2023-2028 and the Trabaho Para sa Bayan Plan “to ensure that all government efforts and resources will be effectively and efficiently managed.”
Labor Secretary Bienvenido E. Laguesma, meanwhile, expressed optimism that the initiative will further generate employment and livelihood opportunities for workers and their families towards the attainment of a ‘Bagong Pilipinas.’
The Inter-Agency Council will monitor, review, and evaluate the implementation of the components of the master plan.
It also includes other agencies such as the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Finance (DOF), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG); and representatives from the employers’ organizations, labor groups, marginalized sector, and the informal sector.
The master plan contains initiatives to upskill workers; promote the use of digital technologies, particularly for MSMEs; and incentivize employers, industry stakeholders, and private partners who will facilitate skills development, technology transfer, and knowledge sharing among businesses and workers.
President Marcos Jr. directed the Inter-Agency Council and all concerned government agencies to fast-track the issuance of the implementing rules and regulations of the law.
